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It’s release day for both the Chalk and Notch Orchid Midi Dress and the Parasol Jumpsuit + Trousers from Ensemble Patterns! We designed our patterns as a collaboration and the patterns can be mixed and matched. Combined there are three bodice options, four bottoms, two waistbands, and endless ways to make it your own! I bet you are wondering how this collaboration came to be. I’ll give you a bit of history from my memory, but basically we became friends and wanted to work together!

I knew of Celina from her kids’ pattern company Petit a Petit + Family and as a co-creator of Stylo Magazine, and I admired her aesthetic. I was basically a fan and thought she was cool. So early on as I was building my business, I reached out for pattern advice and she was always super gracious and kind to me. I also tested for her (I can’t remember if that was before or after I reached out for pattern help), but over time we became friends and we even got a chance to meet while she was in San Francisco visiting with UpCraft Club (which also started my relationship with UpCraft Club). We had been trying to figure out a way to work together for a long time, and by that I mean we casually said it would be fun to work together. It wasn’t until earlier this year that Celina had the brilliant idea to release a jumpsuit together, with one of us designing the top and the other the bottom. As the idea evolved, we decided to create two complete patterns that people could mix + match and sew together. This was such a fun collaboration! It probably wouldn’t have worked with everyone, but Celina is so laid back that it was really easy to work together. I know I speak for both of us when I say we hope you love the OrchidxParasol collaboration as much as we do!

PATTERN COLLABORATION SALE

Both patterns are on sale during release week, now through Wednesday, October 10th. You can purchase the designs separately, but we are offering a larger discount when you buy the patterns as a bundle. This bundle will only be available through October 31st with less of a discount after release week. Update: The bundle is no longer available.

ORCHID PATTERN DETAILS

The Orchid Midi Dress is a wrap bodice with a midi length skirt. View A has ruffle sleeves. View B has long sleeves with a gathered cap and wrist.

FITTING

We advise that you muslin the jumpsuit (and I would argue any pattern, not just the jumpsuit) to ensure you get the proper fit before cutting into your treasured fabric. A jumpsuit covers the length of your body, and everyone carries their length differently. Some carry it mostly in their torso and others in their extremities. Custom adjustments are covered in both patterns, and we will post more about fitting on our blogs, so don’t worry, you will have help if needed. Another thing that you should know about this jumpsuit is that there are no closures and it does require a bit of a shimmy, both in and out. Just a heads up from a friend.

FABRIC

The Orchid and Parasol Jumpsuit patterns look great when sewn with a light to medium weight woven fabric with nice drape. If you use rayon challis, rayon crepe or rayon voile, you’ll have a really drapey dress or jumpsuit. If you use cotton lawn, cotton voile, cotton shirting, linen or double gauze, you will have a little more structure. The Parasol Trousers can also be made with more structured fabric like cotton twill and denim. We will have a post soon with fabric recommendations from some of our favorite indie fabric shops, so stay tuned for that!

COLLAB INSPIRATION

Here are a few examples of the combinations you can create with the Orchid x Parasol patterns. You can also search the Instagram hashtag: #orchidxparasol